Jim Larranaga explains the origin of his dance celebrations, how it helped Miami on Final Four run

They call it The Big Dance for a reason, and Miami coach Jim Larranaga has taken that to heart. The Hurricanes head man has made it a point over the years to celebrate big NCAA Tournament wins by busting a move, a tradition that his players have come to love.

This year Larranaga and Miami have danced their way to the first Final Four appearance in program history, and they’ll hope to keep the party going Saturday against UConn. In an interview that aired on CBS hours before that game, Larranaga explained how that tradition began and why he has kept it going.

“It started in 2013 in the round of 32,” he told Jay Wright. “I just said, ‘Hey, guys. All we’ve got to do is keep fighting.’ We won the game and on my way to the locker room I’m thinking. I said, ‘Hey, guys, you know what I saw out there? A bunch of fighters. You reminded me of Muhammad Ali.’ And I did the Ali shuffle and my players went nuts. They enjoyed it so much.”

Larranaga knew then that there was something to the dancing. He saw that it created chemistry between the players, and they genuinely enjoyed celebrating with their coach. This season, he has continued to break out the moves after big wins, including an upset of No. 1 seed Houston and an Elite Eight comeback win against Texas.

JIM LARRANAGA BREAKING IT DOWN IN THE LOCKER ROOM 🤣🕺 @CanesHoops pic.twitter.com/24gqeUVqbR

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 25, 2023

“In each season there’s a time,” Larranaga said. “Maybe a game we’re not supposed to win or it’s just a struggle the whole way. I’ll do some kind of silly dance. After the game against Houston, the guys encouraged me to dance. So I got some of them up there to dance with me. It’s really about March Madness is the big dance. You’ve got to have fun. Everybody loves dancing.”

Jim Larranaga will hope to bust out his dance moves once again following a matchup against UConn at 8:49 p.m. ET on Saturday with a trip to the national championship on the line.

Jim Larranaga explains mindset that led Miami to Final Four

Larranaga has clearly figured out what it takes to get to the Final Four, now having led two different programs there. Larranaga took No. 11 seed George Mason to the national semifinal in 2006 and now has the Hurricanes in Houston for their first appearance in school history.

Larranaga lost to eventual champion Florida in 17 years ago, but believes he has preached the right message to Miami this season to make this appearance different.

“Quite frankly, I would have rather been like you where you get there and win a couple national championships and you don’t have to wait 17 years to do it again,” he told Wright. “But what we tell our players is, ‘You’ve got to make a total commitment to being the best that you can be in every category. There’s four levels of commitment. If you commit yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, you’ve got a chance to succeed.’ That’s what our guys have done together this year.”

Miami faced several challenges on its road to the Final Four, and found itself down 13 points in the second half of an Elite Eight game against Texas. However, the Hurricanes charged back to take the lead and go on to an 88-81 victory.

But asked his message to the team in that game, Larranaga revealed it was more about the players buying in to what he has taught them and holding each other accountable.

“Honestly, it’s the opposite,” he said. “It’s what they’re saying to each other. I’m meeting with my coaching staff and Norchad Omier is out with foul problems. So after I’m done talking to my coaches, I’m going to deliver a message to the team. As I turn to the team, I see Norchad Omier sitting in my seat giving directions to them. Just pulling them together. The beauty of this Miami team is, starting last summer, they really connected. They have been that way since Day 1.”